One Mess At A Time - The Dining Room

Welcome to the biggest mess in my house - the dining room table. While my kitchen was being worked on, my dining room table was the only flat surface downstairs, not including the floor. On top of that, when my contractor started, I wasn't completely prepared so I was throwing stuff there at the last minute while they were getting started.

Because of all the dust from the construction process, these lovely marks were left on my table. Everything had this thick coating of dust. It was gross. A lot of the stuff on this table needed to be thrown away anyway, so nothing was ruined. Purging is always such a great feeling.

A clean table! Since I am still waiting to get furniture for the downstairs, this is the only room that looks like it is lived in. I enjoy walking in here now.

This cabinet from Target has lived in several states with me - Illinois, Pennsylvania and back to Ohio. It is so heavy! Even though, it is not something that I want to keep forever, it has a spot in my dining room for right now. I am sure I will be able to fill it up.

Next, I have to decorate. But for now, I can at least walk in the room without tripping over random stuff. Just like everything else, this is a work in progress.

Reflections on Contentment

Snapshots Into My Life

What I am seeing through my lens this week.

I actually found white pumpkins last week. I think they are so pretty! It was a little too early in the season for me to buy them, but fingers crossed that they will be there in a few weeks.

I received this tea pot for Christmas, but I was only just able to use it. I was so happy to hear the whistle letting me know my water was boiling away.

My cousin sent me a surprise this week in the mail. It was such a nice thing! This candle smells absolutely divine!

I broke out the Crock Pot to make dinner this week. I made this pot roast. It was so yummy! I highly recommend trying it out.

Kitchen Reno Week 12

This is the last kitchen reno update! Why? BECAUSE IT IS DONE!!!! I am a little excited about it.

I have reclaimed my home. No more lock box on the front door. No more people coming and going during the week. No more construction noises. No more!

Now I can look beyond all those things and start using a functional and beautiful kitchen. The whole renovation process was a learning experience for me. as a new homeowner. It would have been really naive to think that everything would have gone perfectly and smoothly. No unexpected surprises popped up, but the length of time did go way beyond my expectations. But on the flip side, I would rather have a kitchen that took a lot longer to finish than one that was slapped up and will be full of potential problems.

The kitchen looks so much better than I even imagined in my head. The crown molding provides such a nice finishing touch.

I have begun adding some of my red accents, which is helping to warm up the space. My beloved Kitchenaid has found it's home. I think it is pretty happy in its new spot.

I have already started using the kitchen by cutting and freezing 12 green peppers on Saturday. The dishwasher has already gotten a work out, cleaning all unpacked dishes.

The kitchen is already a mess as I try to get it organized. So while the renovation project is done, there is a lot more to come!

Reflection On Contentment

Snapshots Into My Life

What I am seeing through my lens this week.

We celebrated Brynley's birthday on Monday and she loved her cake! I can't believe she is 1 already. Where did this year go?

One the way back from Wisconsin, my mom and I stopped in Shipshewana, IN. This site made me giggle because all the emergency vehicles were golf carts.

Last fall, I constantly looked for these pumpkin spice M&M's. I never found them, so I started early this year and bought 4 bags. I don't know how I am going to use them, but I will be prepared!

Kitchen Reno Week 11

Week 11...and it still isn't finished! Last week my frustration level was high. It is about ready to break through now. You can't expect to finish a kitchen if you only work about 8 hours during the week. I digress. The backsplash has been started, but not finished.

I didn't want anything too fancy because I didn't want anything trendy and run the risk of not liking it in a few years. Subway tile fits that bill, but this tile has a little something extra to it.

The tile has a bevel to it. Since the countertop has a little bit of sparkle, the bevel helps to dress up the tile a little bit more.

It does look really nice even without being grouted.

My microwave was installed, but since there isn't any electrical I can't use it yet. Once it is finished, I know I will be super happy. I am trying to grin and bear it until then.